In response to growing concerns over the use of electric bikes (e-bikes) and electric tricycles (e-trikes) in Metro Manila, especially incidents involving minors or the use of these vehicles on expressways, a dedicated technical working group (TWG) has been established. This TWG, comprising representatives from various traffic agencies and local government units (LGUs), aims to devise a set of guidelines to regulate the operation of e-vehicles on the capital’s roads.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has announced that the forthcoming regulations will address crucial aspects such as the proper licensing of e-vehicle drivers and the registration of their vehicles. LTO Chief Vigor Mendoza emphasized the necessity of these measures, stating that the licensing and registration process would ensure that e-vehicles contribute to traffic safety and flow without disruption, regardless of whether they operate on national or public roads.
This initiative comes in light of statistics from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), which recorded approximately 556 e-bike related accidents in Metro Manila in 2023. The MMDA highlighted the challenge of enforcing rules due to the absence of specific policies for e-bike usage, making it difficult to apprehend violators who lack proper licenses or whose vehicles are unregistered.
The Electric Vehicles Association of the Philippines (EVAP) has expressed its support for the regulation, underscoring the importance of control in the use of e-trikes and e-bikes to prevent accidents and ensure accountability.
The TWG is committed to finalizing the guidelines by the end of the month, with plans to present their recommendations to the Metro Manila Council. This move is seen as a critical step towards enhancing road safety and ensuring the responsible integration of e-vehicles into the urban traffic ecosystem.